To celebrate this special anniversary issue, the editorial team at Running Times chose a cover model uniquely suited to the task. Carrie Tollefson, a true star on the running scene, is also celebrating her 30th birthday in January of this year. Carrie has the kind of talent, dedication, passion, and humor that inspires runners of all abilities, as you’ll read in Jim Gerweck’s profile of her in this issue. She is beautiful inside and out and we wish her a happy and successful year.

I remember my own 30th birthday like it was yesterday. At 30, I was a wife, mother and an English and reading teacher. My two children were a source of unending pride and happiness in my life. My world revolved around my family and my job. I didn’t even own a pair of running shoes. Less than ten years later, I had become a competitive runner on the national masters circuit. I owned trainers and racing flats and a new subscription to Running Times, whose tagline was: "The National Calendar Magazine." I depended on RT to help me plan my races, to learn more about training, sports medicine, nutrition, and to inspire me to set and meet goals. RT was my best resource as I began to accept myself as a runner. The magazine connected me to the sport in a unique way. Running Times introduced me to a community of runners that shared my interests, passions, successes and most of all, my commitment to the sport.

A few years later, when I joined the staff at Running Times, the readership of 20,000 became my extended family. As that readership has grown to over 400,000 in 2006, I have been privileged to lead the team that has continued RT’s ongoing mission. Over the years the taglines for Running Times have changed, but our editorial mission has not. We are diligent in our commitment to excellence. We are unwavering in our desire to provide connections within the running community. We are resolute in our belief that running is an important, worthwhile, and positive endeavor with benefits that extend far beyond the physical. Our mission has evolved with the sport and will continue to meet the changing needs of runners everywhere.

In this issue, we take the chance to look back, not just to reminisce, but to reflect on how we got where we are as a sport, what we’ve learned, and how we can continue to grow and improve. Inside, you’ll find an insightful article by Roger Robinson on key moments and movements in the sport of running over the last 30 years. Founders Ed Ayres, Rick Platt and Phil Stewart reflect on their vision and experiences in the early years, and the passion of running that continues to inspire them now. Pete Pfitzinger’s "Lab Report" gives nine training principles we’ve learned in the past three decades. Candace Karu’s "Running Life" column talks about the changes in running and the magazine during this history. And Editor in Chief Jonathan Beverly presents essential marathon training principles, drawing from all the marathon training plans ever presented in our pages.

I believe that our 30th anniversary is more than an occasion for celebration. It is a time to embrace challenges and changes ahead as our sport continues to evolve. Our goal is to serve our readers better as we all share our dedication and enthusiasm for this great sport, and continue to feel connected to a community of extraordinary athletes. Please join me in looking ahead — the best is yet to be.